The tallest tale can never tell  
The drum of endless upward steps,  
The mountains cruel exacted toll,  
When wrung for air, here wretched stoops   
The climber, with no cause at all.   
  
For those who brave this wint'ry roof  
And strive to shed the earthly mire,  
Can clear their minds of care and strife,  
Stand tall 'mongst giants, evermore  
At peace, and stroll life's highways rough.  
  
So climb if you will, life's begun  
By looking well to ev'ry step,   
But when the summit's last light's gone  
The time has come, depart the top  
To love, and life, and air again.  
  
Mark Stone, March 2003